Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
An avalanche cycle is expected to begin on Tuesday. Skiers should be choosing conservative terrain. Ice-climbers should be picking routes with no over-head hazard.
Confidence
No Rating
Avalanche Summary
Ski hills reported several small (size 1) ski-cut or explosive triggered wind-slab avalanches on Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15 cm of storm snow overlays well developed surface hoar, faceted snow, and sun-crusts on steep south aspects. Strong SW winds have formed fresh windslabs in alpine and tree-line locations. The mid and lower pack is generally weak and facetted. Snow depths range from 40-60 cm at tree-line and up to 90 cm in deeper alpine locations.
Weather Summary
A strong SW flow will bring snow, rising freezing levels and strong winds to the forecast area on Tuesday. Up to 30 cm of snow at tree-line expected by Wed morning. Freezing levels will spike to over 2000m on Tuesday before cooling somewhat by Wednesday. Winds will be strong from the SW.
For more information click Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow (up to 30 cm) and strong SW winds will have formed fresh windslabs at alpine and treeline elevations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
The mid and lower pack are thin and facetted in most areas. Any surface windslabs could scrub down into this facetted lower pack resulting in a full depth avalanche. We expect avalanche activity on this layer to increase on Tuesday as the storm load increases.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5